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Yesterday, the first worldwide protests against surveillance measures
such as the collection of all telecommunications data, the surveillance
of air travellers and the biometric registration of citizens were held
under the motto "Freedom not Fear - Stop the surveillance mania!". In
at least 15 countries[1]
citizens demanded a cutback on surveillance, a moratorium on new
surveillance powers and an independent evaluation of existing
surveillance powers. "A free and open society cannot exist without
unconditionally private spaces and communications", explains an
international memorandum.[2]

Call for action

A broad movement of campaigners and organizations is calling on
everybody to join action against excessive surveillance by governments
and businesses. On 11 October 2008, concerned people in many countries
will take to the streets, the motto being "Freedom not fear 2008".
Peaceful and creative action, from protest marches to parties, will
take place in many capital cities.

Surveillance mania is spreading. Governments and businesses
register, monitor and control our behaviour ever more thoroughly. No
matter what we do, who we phone and talk to, where we go, whom we are
friends with, what our interests are, which groups we participate in -
"big brother" government and "little brothers" in business know it more
and more thoroughly. The resulting lack of privacy and confidentiality is putting at
risk the freedom of confession, the freedom of speech as well as the
work of doctors, helplines, lawyers and journalists.

The manifold agenda of security sector reform encompasses the
convergence of police, intelligence agencies and the military,
threatening to melt down the division and balance of powers. Using methods of mass surveillance, the borderless cooperation
of the military, intelligence services and police authorities is
leading towards the construction of "Fortresses"
in Europe and on other continents, directed against refugees and
different-looking people but also affecting, for example, political
activists, the poor and under-priviledged, and sports fans.

People who constantly feel watched and under surveillance
cannot freely and courageously stand up for their rights and for a just
society. Mass surveillance is thereby threatening the fabric of a
democratic and open society. Mass surveillance is also endangering the work and commitment of civil society organizations.

Surveillance, distrust and fear are gradually transforming our
society into one of uncritical consumers who have "nothing to hide" and
- in a vain attempt to achieve total security - are prepared to give up
their freedoms. We do not want to live in such a society!

We believe the respect for our privacy to be an important part
of our human dignity. A free and open society cannot exist without
unconditionally private spaces and communications.

The increasing electronic registration and surveillance of the
entire population does not make us any safer from crime, costs millions
of Euros and puts the privacy of innocent citizens at risk. Under the
reign of fear and blind actionism, targeted and sustained security
measures fall by the wayside, as well as tackling peoples' actual daily
problems such as unemployment and poverty.

In order to protest against security mania and excessive
surveillance we will take to the streets in capital cities in many
countries on 11 October 2008. We call on everybody to join our peaceful
protest. Politicians are to see that we are willing to take to the
streets for the protection of our liberties!